well-behavedˌwell-beˈhaved adjective 
Examples
a well-behaved child a very well-behaved dog The crowd was well-behaved.► see thesaurus at politeRegisterIn everyday English, people often say that a child is good rather than well-behaved:· Have the children been good?
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Can I bring my dog? She's very well-behaved.
- She was a thoughtful, kind, and well-behaved girl.
- Their children are so well-behaved it seems almost unnatural.
- A petty officer, his wife and three incredibly well-behaved children were first.
- An ugly duckling, like a printing press, was transformed into a well-behaved goose laying golden eggs.
- Flavia responded like a well-behaved little girl.
- His sad, excruciatingly well-behaved adolescence is inextricable from the progress of a doomed friendship with an eccentric schoolmate, Smallgods.
- Most of the 20,000 asteroids in our data banks remain on well-behaved paths, for ever circuiting the sun in the main belt.
- Small towns and highways sit in the distance like the proverbial well-behaved child -- seen, vaguely, but not heard.
- So we were exceedingly well-behaved towards each other.
- The hangar-sized concert room was packed with a well-behaved male dominated audience.
THESAURUS► polite
behaving in a calm polite way, and not being rude or violent: behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people’s needs and feelings: · He was too polite to ask how old she was.· ‘Excuse me, sir,’ she said in a polite voice.
► well-mannered having good manners and knowing the correct way to behave in social situations: · She was beautifully dressed and very well-mannered.
► well-behaved polite and not causing any trouble – used about children or animals: · The children were very well-behaved.· Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the hotel.
► courteous polite and respectful, and behaving rather formally: · The hotel staff were very courteous and helpful.· a courteous reply
► respectful polite and treating someone with respect: · He was very respectful towards all my relatives.· ‘Thank you,’ he said with a respectful bow.
► civil polite in a formal way, especially when you do not feel very friendly towards someone: · She’d never liked her father-in-law, but she forced herself to be civil to him.· When you’ve stopped arguing, you might be able to have a civil conversation.
► deferential formal polite towards someone, especially because they are in a more important social position: · In those days women were expected to be deferential to men.
Longman Language Activatorto behave well► behave especially spoken to do what people tell you and not cause any trouble - use this especially about children: · If you two don't behave, I'm taking you straight home.behave yourself (=behave well): · Make sure you behave yourselves when we visit Grandma.
► well-behaved someone who is well-behaved does not cause any trouble and does what other people tell them to do - use this especially about children, pets, or large groups of people: · Can I bring my dog? She's very well-behaved.· a well-behaved child· The crowd was noisy but well-behaved.
► good if a child is good , he or she does not cause trouble and does what he or she is told to do: · I was always very good at school.· He's a good little boy.be good! (=used to tell a child to behave well): · Bye now, Jessie. Be good.
► be on your best behaviour British /behavior American to make a special effort to behave well by doing and saying the right things and being very polite, because you know other people are watching you: · Dinner was very formal, with everyone on their best behaviour.
► stay out of trouble to try not to behave badly, especially because you do not want to be noticed or caught: · Have a good time, boys, but try to stay out of trouble.· If I stay out of trouble till June, my parents will take me to Florida.
► keep your nose clean informal to behave well, especially by not doing anything wrong or illegal: · It's not a great job, but if you keep your nose clean, you should be promoted by the end of the year.· He's been sentenced to seven years in prison, but he'll be out in four if he keeps his nose clean.
► orderly: an orderly crowd/demonstration/march etc well-behaved and not violent or out of control: · Police said it was an orderly demonstration and there were no arrests.· The crowd were orderly and in good spirits.
words for describing children who behave politely and well► well-behaved a well-behaved child is polite and does not cause trouble or make noise: · His older brother was quieter and far better-behaved.· She was a thoughtful, kind, and well-behaved girl.· Their children are so well-behaved it seems almost unnatural.
► good a child who is good behaves in a polite, obedient and helpful way: · She's a good girl -- I'm sure she won't give you any trouble.· What good children - they went to bed as soon as I told them to!· If you're good you can stay up till eight o'clock tonight.
► well-brought up a child or young adult who is well-brought up always behaves well because their parents have taught them to be polite: · They are well-brought-up children, and have a great respect for their teachers.· David is very well-brought up, but he does have a nasty temper sometimes.
a well-behaved child a very well-behaved dog The crowd was well-behaved.► see thesaurus at politeRegisterIn everyday English, people often say that a child is good rather than well-behaved:· Have the children been good?